1. Entry Restrictions

International travel to the Netherlands is currently restricted, except for the following passengers:

• Nationals and residents of the Netherlands;
• Nationals of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Vatican City (Holy See);
• British nationals;
• Passengers arriving from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland;
• Passengers holding long-term residence permits from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland;
• Passengers holding long-term national “D” visas from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland;
• Residents of Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, Thailand and Uruguay;
• Passengers holding Schengen visas issued after 19 March 2020 and travelling through the Netherlands to another Schengen Member state;
• Passengers holding residence permits issued by Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and their spouses and children, returning to their country of residence via Poland;
• Students holding a notification letter issued by the Dutch Immigration Service (IND);
• Business travelers coming to the Netherlands and holding a “consular note” from a Dutch Embassy/Consulate, provided that the travel is urgent and cannot be postponed, requires the traveler’s physical presence and there is no feasible digital alternative, and is vital importance for the Dutch economy, including the following:
  • The business meeting relates to the creation of at least five new jobs or the investment of at least €500,000 in the Netherlands; or
  • The business meeting relates to the potential direct foreign investment in the Netherlands that will contribute to the strengthening Dutch innovation capacity, making the Dutch economy more sustainable, or the further digitalization of the Dutch economy; or
  • The business meetings are of major importance to an organization in the Netherlands with at least 10 employees and/or an annual turnover of at least €2 million (exceptions can be made for smaller organizations on the basis of their involvement in socially relevant ground-breaking contributions to research, innovation, sustainability or public health).
• Highly qualified professionals exemption category whose specialist skills or knowledge are needed to assist with the economic recovery of the EU after the pandemic, and the following:
  • EU Blue Card holders;
  • Holders of residence permit under the EU ICT Directive;
  • Highly Skilled Migrant Permit;
  • Researchers conducting work that is essential to the Dutch economy and society.

Effective as of 06:00 on 20 December 2020, a ban on flights carrying passengers from the United Kingdom entered into force. This ban will remain in place at least until 1 January 2021.

Passengers coming to the Netherlands from high-risk COVID-19 countries must complete present a Health Declaration Form prior to boarding their flight (children below the age of 13 are exempt from having to complete this form).

2. Quarantine/Self-Isolation Requirements

Passengers arriving in the Netherlands from the following countries and regions should self-quarantine for 10 days (including those without symptoms or who have tested negative for COVID-19):

• Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bonaire, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (Copenhagen, Faaborg-Midtfyn, Slagelse, Aarhus, Køge, Solrød and Greve), Estonia, Finland (Helsinki-Uusimaa region, including the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway (city of Oslo and the counties of Vestland and Viken), Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom
• Travelers coming from outside the EU, Schengen Area and the UK, except for Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Uruguay and China.

Once in the Netherlands, travelers can self-quarantine at home or in temporary accommodation.

Please note that passengers in transit (who do not leave the airport and do not pass through passport control/customs) and cross-border commuters (if they live in another EU member state but work in the Netherlands and return at least once a week to their place of residence outside the Netherlands) are exempt from the quarantine requirement.

Certain travelers may be able to temporarily their accommodation/residence during the 14-day quarantine period, if doing is absolutely necessary for the essential purpose of their travel (e.g. passengers attending critical business meetings).

Please note that this page is updated on an ongoing basis, but COVID-19 related restrictions and policies are subject to frequent and sudden change, often with little to no advance notice to the public. Therefore, to ensure that you have the latest updates, we recommend that you reach out to T&S at emea@tandslaw.com for additional information.